Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Rowland.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have found that the journey in a creative field is like no other. There is not a written out plan, and most of it is trial and error.
I started by cold emailing and shadowing many photographers whose work I found interesting. I met with photographers who specialized in architecture, fine art portraiture, runway, and so on. I had very little funds, so I said “yes” to practically every gig, while also binging many photographer videos on YouTube, such as Sorelle Amore, Peter Mckinnon, and Lizzie Peirce. I truly appreciate all of those who took the time to offer their advice.
When I had saved enough money, I had paid to shadow a wedding photographer. After my mentorship, my entire perspective on the wedding industry had changed.
I loved getting to know the couple, and hearing how significant each family member was to their journey in life. I felt even more inclined to represent their story in its purest form. I wanted to capture their beauty at the moment, as well as their silliness and quirks. I knew the images would be a part of their legacy and would be how they illustrated their story to future generations. I wanted to do it justice.
Following that day, I started to build my portfolio around storytelling, and adventure. I reached out to couples and offered free shoots in return for having the opportunity to document their story. I found that oftentimes it would be at their favorite overlook, park, or hiking trail. During the walks, I found that it was the best time to get to know them, before taking out the camera.
From there, I would just say it is all about consistency and continuing to learn. You can always improve your technique and services, and I believe that is how you can keep growing as a creator and entrepreneur.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always hardships when entering a new space. One of my biggest challenges was learning how to pivot. When I first began photography, I was pursuing my bachelor of Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. I had just received an email stating I will no longer be receiving a significant amount of scholarships for my remaining years in school.
Being a first-generation college student in America, I was devastated and feared losing my access to education. A lack of finances had always played a role in my upbringing and I did not want it to be the reason I would have to quit school.
I used that fear to learn how to transition a personal hobby into a profitable business. At one point, I had three jobs, and invested any remaining funds into equipment and educating myself in the industry. I began extensive research on the “how-tos” and also began to present myself in a more professional manner when it came to clients. I knew I had to take myself seriously as a photographer before anyone else would.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of the ability to show someone’s beauty.
I often get the comment “Oh wow, how did you make us look so good?!” But the truth is that is how the world already sees you. We are so critical of ourselves that we often overlook all the wonderful traits that make us unique. Most people don’t know how beautiful they are and I am always so excited to show them!
I believe what sets Lrow Photography apart from others is the experience you will have during a session. I have a high focus on photographing couples in the outdoors. So whether it is an elopement under a waterfall or an engagement session at the peak of a mountain, I can guarantee you I will be your personal hype woman during the entire session!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite apps for maintaining my business are:
- Honeybook http://share.honeybook.com/lisa89435
- The Unscripted App
- Canva
- Preview
- SCRL
Other resources I love to stay motivated creatively and financially are these YouTubers/Podcast:
- Sorelle Amore/ Abundantia
- Lizzie Pierce
- Jai Long Make Your Break
- Matt D’Avella
- Taylor King/ TK Making Moves
- Diary of a CEO
Pricing:
- WEDDINGS Starting at $2,400
- ELOPEMENTS Starting at $600
- FULL SESSIONS Starting at $250
- HALF SESSIONS Starting at $150
Contact Info:
- Email: lrow.photography@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.lrowphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lrow.photography/
Image Credits
Lisa Rowland | LROW PHOTOGRAPHY
